Elements (Tear of God Book 1) (35 page)

Mink’s mind went into overdrive. Hibernation wouldn’t last long, and although the effect might be reapplied, any Machinist with an Elemental affinity for Body and Water would be immune.

“Furthermore,” Tolrin continued with more bad news. “there are hundreds of cloaks mixed in with their forces. The Machinists appear to be working with the Reeks.”

Mink caught another waft of death. It made sense that the Reeks controlling the puppets moving ahead of them would also be in communication with those on Rift Ridge, making the illusion of the camping trip that much more important. Mink shared his suspicions with Tolrin by thinking, “Those puppets we encountered must have been sent to gather information about us. I think we were spotted coming down the western slope of the Great Barrier Range.”

“Way ahead of you there, Mink. The only way they could have surrounded us like that back there would be if they knew which way we were headed to begin with.”

Alré lifted her head and kept her voice to a whisper, announcing what Mink already knew. “We’re going to camp here tonight. Sapo and I will take first watch.”

U
NDER THE
inching dark of night, each Cell established its own cabin one by one down the valley path from whence they came. The persistent call of insects helped muffle the sounds that might give away the position of the Team. Knowing that the puppets were likely watching from the shadows of the surrounding trees above, great care was taken to maintain the guise of a educational camping trip. Extra precaution was necessary, and Cell members had to bunk together.

The twins fashioned one large octagonal cabin that could house the Guide Cell and their scooters, plus give whoever was on watch an elevated and protected position on the roof. Sapo used her canvas tent as a barrier between herself and the Wood, lest her energy be drained overnight. They each had a simple platform bed extending out from one of the eight walls, partitioned for privacy. Mink stowed his pack on the floor next to his head, reclining fitfully. Knowing his parents were at a stalemate against Machinist forces, he doubted he would sleep before watch.

A knock came on the door, followed by Blin’s voice. “Mink, Tolrin wants to see you.”

He had expected to be called, but had about given up on it by the time the second moon rose. “Be right there.” On his way out, he nodded to the twins, who were already climbing into their beds.

This night seemed darker than the previous one. If anyone was using a glow crystal, Mink couldn’t see it. Aside from the people on watch, everyone had holed up in their Cell’s bunk. Blin walked beside him in silence.

“Mink?” Blin started as they neared Tolrin’s cabin. “Just want to say I hope your parents are okay.”

“Then hand over my mom’s flatwrap.”

Mink startled as Blin stepped in front of him and raised an arm. To his surprise, no blow followed, but rather an earnest squeeze on the shoulder.

“When we’re headed home, I’ll hand it to her myself,” Blin offered.

Mink didn’t feel like he understood anything or anyone anymore. “Fine, then. Thanks.”

Blin headed off, and Mink knocked on the Command Cell’s door. He heard Tolrin’s voice come from outside, around the back. “Over this way, Mink.” Following the sound of low voices, he discovered Tolrin engaged in conversation with some members of the Strike Cell under Corporal Counkrat’s command, including the Water user Rénys. Squaring up, Tolrin addressed Mink. “It seems Rénys here has a massive effect loaded up. He chanted specifications for eighteen hours after we left the briefing yesterday morning.”

Mink looked at Rénys, who gave a silent nod. “Will it harm those with Water affinity?”

Rénys shook his head, remaining quiet to keep the effect ready to implement.

“Anyone know what kind of an effect it is?” Tolrin questioned the rest of the group. “Some kind of A.o.E.? Waterjet?”

Crali, a Body user in the Strike Cell, spoke up, “I don’t think it’s either. The specification he kept repeating was—” Crali paused to make sure he got it right. “the target’s Water expanded.”

“Rénys,” Mink said, facing the silent Water user. “Do you think your effect can give us an advantage against the Machinists?”

Rénys nodded, smiling slyly.

Turning his attention to Tolrin, Mink wasted no time in laying out his idea. “I can believe that Rénys stands a good chance of eliminating a large number of the Machinists and Harvest forces, except for those with Fire, Water, and Wood affinities. I would suggest that your Air and Lightning users of the Perimeter Cell sneak around the cliff side of the Ridge and take care of as many of the remaining as possible. If we strike first and thoroughly, the only ones left to deal with will be those who are hidden.”

“But most of them will be dead or asleep… Much better odds!” Tolrin finished. “A+ on Mr. Gusky’s exam… I believe it.” He grabbed Mink by the back of the neck approvingly. Then he conceded, “We aren’t a battle-ready army. There’s no way we can get reinforcements. But we cannot go back empty handed. And I’m not going to stay here and wait to see what happens. We have the first twenty seconds of the battle planned.

“Our priority is to distract enemy forces from the Tear of God, clearing entry for ourselves. The Guide, Scout, and Strike Cells should form a Decoy Unit pulling them to the north, away from the site. My Relay Cell can help the Extraction Unit sneak around to the south and make for the hole while the Machinists’ attention is on the Decoy Unit.”

Mink cleverly added, “Same way you won the National Thornball Championship against the Tad Stormwings.”

Tolrin smiled, amused. “Against heavy defense, the best strategy is to make them defend the wrong area. They had some monstrous layers of defense in front of the Grax goal. Too bad we already scored on that one.” He allowed himself a chuckle.

“And,” Mink’s resolve strengthened, “we’ll catch any remaining Machinists between the crossfire of the Decoy Unit and the Tear of God Unit’s defensive Cells.” Approving nods of agreement circulated among the group.

“What about the Reeks?” Crali apparently voiced a concern of the others. Either the odor of rot had lessened, or Mink was getting used to it. The Reeks disturbed Mink as well, but he knew that Machinists posed a greater threat, since they had weapons that shot metal. And metal damaged all Elemental types.

“I don’t think the Reeks will miss out on the opportunity to acquire puppets,” Mink answered. “They’ll have their hands full reaping all the dead bodies from the battlefield.”

Lieutenant Jannri finally spoke up, her voice soft and warm. “Which Unit would you rather go with, Mink? You would reach your parents more quickly with the Tear of God Unit.”

He hadn’t considered this. Although Mink wanted nothing more than to be reunited with Nyam and Juré as soon as possible, he felt a greater obligation to stay with his group. “I’ll move with the Guide Cell and find my parents after we’ve pushed through to meet the Tear of God Unit,” he decided. “I’ll just need a paddle.”

Jannri approved. “Have the twins make something up for you. Whatever you need.”

Dismissed, Mink rushed back to his cabin, feeling excited and optimistic about the newly hatched battle plan. The prospect of getting a new paddle made by the twins and using it to fight Machinists also energized him. En route, he spotted Gyov standing outside the door of the Scout Cell’s cabin. Mink approached her at a walking pace, trying desparately to remember the apology he had come up with.

“Gyov, I’m so sorry for putting you in danger. And it was selfish of me to let you drain your energy just so I could sit by you. Please—”

Gyov cut Mink off by shoving her hand over his mouth. “Are you going to let me say something?”

Mink nodded, bewildered.

“But not here.” Gyov led Mink by the hand off into the misty Woods to the south. He almost suggested they stay close to the group, but the prospect of having some time alone with her under the blanket of night was too tempting. He inhaled deeply to be sure no puppets were in the area, and instead got drunk on a noseful of her sweet, floral perfume. They snuck down into a vale low enough to be completely hidden from sight, Gyov insisting they lay down on the warm Soil. After they settled side by side, Mink studied the moons now obscured by the wide leaves of the almany trees. He waited for her to speak.

“There’s a song,” Gyov said at last. “Back at Gynsgade, that was my favorite song when I was little girl. It’s all I could think of earlier when those puppets were coming at us. It played over and over in my head while I sat closed in my Clay Pot.”

Mink propped up on an elbow and listened while she spoke, her eyes fixed on the sky.

“’Oongk Ggyoriah Ahtima,’ translated as ‘The World I Have.’ About a princess who knows only of her safe world and yet the man she loves lives a life of hardship and disappointment.” Gyov continued to elaborate in the accent Mink found so endearing. “She tries to bring the man from his harsh world into her luxury, but the love suffers. Only when she leaves her easy life to share his difficult one, then she becomes strong enough for them to have sustainable love.”

Gyov paused and bit her lower lip, blinking rapidly. Mink rolled onto his back, giving her space. The night insects sang over the silence.

She continued, “I wish to believe that I could be strengthened by your world, Mink. I want to be strong enough. All that time I tried to bolster courage in safety of my Elemental Armor, only made me feel weaker and without courage.”

Mink’s eyes traced the braid along the side of her head as he tried to understand what she was getting at. Too weak for him?

“Then you took charge of the situation and truly showed everyone how strong your world has made you. I don’t deserve to be with you.” Gyov rolled to face him, her expression sullen and hands folded protectively on her stomach.

“You need to leave that up to me to decide,” Mink echoed Tralé’s advice from the morning. “Don’t reject yourself, Gyov.”

“You’re strongest and bravest person I know, Mink.” she stared into his eyes. “I can’t imagine your daily struggles not knowing your Element. Yet, you remain so sweet and positive and sure.”

Mink smiled, returning her gaze. “That’s funny. You are the one who inspired me to be that way.” Gyov gave him a dubious look. “Really. I was always impressed by how cheerful and playful you were when you first moved to Floth, even when everyone made fun of you for being different. I decided that’s how I wanted to be. Like you.”

Gyov rolled her eyes. “You wouldn’t want me once you got to know me better.”

Mink had heard enough. He moved closer and firmly set his lips against the warm tenderness of hers. She recoiled slightly, but not enough to break away from him. She relaxed into it, grabbing the back of his head. Her lips were soft, soon stretching thin in a smile of pleasure and relief. Mink leaned away and returned her grin. At last, he had kissed the girl he longed for all these years. The moment did not disappoint, and when it fully hit Mink that this was his first kiss, he beamed. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

“Sing it to me,” Mink coaxed.

“What? ‘Oongk Ggyoriah Ahtima?’”

“I want to hear it.”

Gyov laughed and cleared her throat. “You may not laugh at my singing.”

“You didn’t laugh at mine, so it’s a deal.”

“Oh…” Gyov gave Mink a little kiss. “Okay. I only know in Pashmeeta. I will translate later.” She began,

“Uhertcha o sogreng yota